Sunday, September 12, 2010

Welcome to the Sunday Surf! Here are some of the best links I've read this past week.

Arrr…we be hoboes here. And pirates. Maybe hobo pirates.

Yesterday, September 11, was my three-year blogiversary. I have never celebrated my blogiversary before and was curious when it was. I knew it was September, but when exactly? When I saw what the starting date was … well, seriously, could I not have chosen to start it a day before or after?

But, stupid choice of date aside, it's fun to think about what's transpired in the past three years. I started Hobo Mama when Mikko was three months old, which is surprising to me in retrospect. First of all, how did I find the energy to begin a new, life-changing project with a newborn, which is a life-changing project in itself? I think it was just that I had so many parenting thoughts and experiences flying through my head that blogging about it was a release rather than a burden. Secondly, clearly I was a know-it-all even then. But I think it's good to point out to any of you starting a blog when your baby's wee that you don't have to be a long-time parent to talk about parenting. Your voice is valid, no matter how long you've been on the job.

And now I have a three-year-old! And a three-year-old blog! Woo-hoo!

The more things change…

A big thanks and a virtual hug to my readers who've brought me such joy and community. When I started blogging, I had no idea that would be the most precious part of writing out my ideas online. It's been marvelous to connect with so many thoughtful, natural-minded, open-hearted parents (as well as non-parents who appreciate such things!), and I look forward to many more years of enjoying your company as we tramp along this road together.

Ok, party's over. On to the links.

"Let the Little Children Come" from Momopoly: Compilation of Kate's insightful and respectful articles on bringing kids to a worship service. Sam and I had been experimenting with a home church that incorporates children into the experience, so I'll have to write about that once I get my thoughts together.

"Why (if I had to give birth again) I’d Give Birth At Home" from The Contemplative Mommy: I like that this article allows room for women to make whatever birthing choices work best for them — and is grateful for the interventions that are available when needed — but points out how the fear-based birth culture shortchanges women:

"…I highly disapprove of shows like TLC’s A Baby Story and the like that over-dramatize childbirth and turn it into a prime-time TV offering! Such shows convey the idea that childbirth is frightening, life-threatening and will most likely end in an emergency situation of some sort. No wonder women are so fearful of giving birth!

Can you imagine if we treated other rites of passage in this way? If we had previews for shows like 'Kindergarten Katastrophe' that announced: 'When Michael heads out the door for his first day of school he’s all smiles but when he can’t find his classroom and the teacher hates him, will he be able to get through the day?' And then had 5 year-olds watch them all summer?"

"Ten Things To Do While Breastfeeding" from KellyNaturally.com: I once read breastfeeding "advice" that said never to multitask while nursing but to devote your full energy to your baby at all times. I almost choked. I would not be breastfeeding past three-years-old if I hadn't embraced all the possibilities of nursing-friendly activities.

"Car Seat Safety" from Musings of a Milk Maker: I'm a staunch advocate of extended rear facing for babies and toddlers. (My three-year-old is still rear facing, once we found a car seat that could accommodate him!) So this ode to five-point harnesses for older kids' boosters is something I can totally relate to.

"Baby Names in the Digital Age" by Jen Genova on Babble: I thought this was an interesting take on the modern consequences of naming children. I've definitely thought about the domain-name issue, but I hadn't considered the privacy vs. searchability aspect. Frankly, though, Sam's last name is so uncommon there's really no way a child with his last name could hide.

In continuing honor of myself, apparently, I just wanted to share this little Twitter exchange that brought joy to my soul. I was looking at Alfie Kohn's Twitter page, through some happy accident, and noticed this quote in a Tweet that sounded familiar to me:

Oh, no, Alfie Kohn, author of one of my favoritest parenting books evah, did not just say I wrote something awesome! He did? He really did? Grab the smelling salts.
P.S. I know I'm a dork.
P.P.S. Look how many retweets my quote got — too bad it wasn't linked to me, hey? You can't have everything.
P.P.P.S. Alfie Kohn's going to think I'm stalking him now and avoid ever quoting me again.
P.P.P.P.S. But it was worth it.

Happy Blogiversary! You're totally right that brand-new parents have just as much to write about parenting as more experienced ones. Parenting is totally a process, and everyone is learning and having real, valid experiences as they go along.

Also, so exciting to get a compliment on your blog from Alfie Kohn! Recognition feels awesome. :)

O.M.G! That is NOT a small thing... that is a huge deal! You have every right to be excited and proud! But dang... he really should have linked! Wonder how many people will quote HIM as saying that now?

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Riding the rails with my husband, Crackerdog Sam, and our hobo kids, Mikko Lint Picker (born June 2007), Alrik Irontrousers (born May 2011), and Karsten (born October 2014). Trying every day to parent intentionally and with grace.